I'm curious to know what everyone thinks. Undoubtedly, our onfield product has taken major steps backwards in the past week, but has this fire-sale alienated the fan-base the way the '97 fire-sale did, or is this simply one that we can call our own fault?

 

As respected fans of the franchise, I'd like to know if you plan on continuing to support the team. If so, how many games do you plan on going to in '06; is this more or less than you went to in '05 and '04? Additionally, do you think that the fan-base as a whole will be better, worse, or constant in '06?

 

I ask this because last night at the Panthers game, and at the airport on Tuesday night, I saw more Marlins hats and t-shirts than I think I have ever seen outside of Pro Player. It seems that we were taking steps in the right direction as far as respectability goes...I'd like to know if many of you think that this will carry over.

 

The circumstances are different between the '05 and '97 fire-sale, and I realize that this one probably isn't done yet, but we'll probably put a product on the field this season that can overachieve and crack .500 or better, the same couldn't be said about the '98 squad.

 

Please, let's not turn this into a "where should we stick the stadium" debate or "why Palm Beach is better/worse than Miami" argument, tell me what you plan on doing this season, and what you think those around you will do.

 

:thumbup

I get the impression you're mostly asking local fans, but I'll throw my 2 cents in here.

 

I plan on going to see this team more this season. Last year, I went to 2 games in Pittsburgh. I didn't even try to go to Cincinnati. I had to work that weekend and I didn't feel they were worth the effort to not only pay the travel costs but also lose income from work.

 

Now, this year's team, I would do that for. I'm more excited about this team than I have been in a long time, at least before a season has started. I imagine I'll go to both Cincy and Pittsburgh this season.

 

I think the majority of the "die-hards" understand the situation and even if they're not happy about it, know it needed to be done. However, I do think attendance will drop at first. I don't know how much, but I have to think there's going to be some kind of drop-off.

 

But, if I'm right about next year's team (and who knows if I am) I think it's going to be an exciting bunch that busts their ass every night and it will catch the eye of the fans.

 

I'm willing to bet our average attendance climbs as the season goes on, but overall, it'll be down.

If I have money come summertime, I will probably go to a few games in Washington and maybe one or two in Philadelphia. If I go to more or less games this year than I did last year, it's only because of money issues.

Personally, I have been to about 10 home games and 3 or 4 away games each of the past 10 years. I actually am quite excited about this team starting over and re-building for a championship contending team in a few years. This is the first season that I will get season tickets, 81 games or 40 games is still up in the air...

I'm curious to know what everyone thinks. Undoubtedly, our onfield product has taken major steps backwards in the past week, but has this fire-sale alienated the fan-base the way the '97 fire-sale did, or is this simply one that we can call our own fault?

 

As respected fans of the franchise, I'd like to know if you plan on continuing to support the team. If so, how many games do you plan on going to in '06; is this more or less than you went to in '05 and '04? Additionally, do you think that the fan-base as a whole will be better, worse, or constant in '06?

 

I ask this because last night at the Panthers game, and at the airport on Tuesday night, I saw more Marlins hats and t-shirts than I think I have ever seen outside of Pro Player. It seems that we were taking steps in the right direction as far as respectability goes...I'd like to know if many of you think that this will carry over.

 

The circumstances are different between the '05 and '97 fire-sale, and I realize that this one probably isn't done yet, but we'll probably put a product on the field this season that can overachieve and crack .500 or better, the same couldn't be said about the '98 squad.

 

Please, let's not turn this into a "where should we stick the stadium" debate or "why Palm Beach is better/worse than Miami" argument, tell me what you plan on doing this season, and what you think those around you will do.

 

:thumbup

 

 

I wore my 2003 WS Champions t-shirt to the Panthers game last night, mabye you saw me.

 

I will continue to support the team as long as they're in South Florida, if they move away I will refuse to support them. I already bought the 20 game Saturday plan for next season and will probably go to 25-30 games total. This is far less than the 50+ games I went to in 2004 and 2005 when I had the 41 game flex plan.

My dad doesnt want to get season tickets this year but we are probably going to go to about the same number of games as last year. Which would be about 10-15 games.

I will definetely continue to support the team and I want to go to more games in '06 (I went to 15 this season). I kinda think attendace will drop, though. :thumbdown

I'll probably make ito 7-8 Home games this year and maybe a series in Tampa or Atlanta. Its tough being in Orlando for college. I'm actually pretty excited about this team and what they could accomplish... I can't wait to see how they do.

Fact or Fiction: The Marlins will have the 2006 Rookie of the Year?

I'm going to try to go to as many as possible. Next season will be tougher because I'll be starting college, so unless I stay down here for college, I won't be in S. Florida for part of the season. That just means I'll try and make up for it by going to a LOT of games while I'm down here. I also am definitely seeing them play up at Yankee Stadium

 

 

I'll hit up a few games in the early season series in Philly before graduation (depending on my schedule), two games from the Yankee Stadium (unless I'm at the World Cup), and hopefully as many games at Shea as I can get out of work for (which is probably once in a blue moon). I'll pick up MLB.tv or something to watch them as much as possible. It'll be painful to watch at times, but with less pressure and expectations, it should be more fun.

Fact. It will probably be Hermida, but I expect good things out of one or more of our starting pitchers.

I'll probably make a few trips down to Shea or Philly this summer to catch them.

I think without a doubt we set ourselves back. I hope I'm wrong but I believe the firesale and possibility of the team leaving will hurt the fanbase.

 

It's nice that a lot fans on this board seem excited about next year's team but I don't know that that feeling will extend to the majority of those who go to games. In particular the fans who recently came back will be put off by all of this. Please prove me wrong.

 

I renewed my tickets before the playoff push and I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel betrayed. I expected to lose some players and that the payroll would go down but I wasn't counting on a firesale. I used to have the 41 game plan but switched to the Saturday 20 game plan last year after tickets went up in price. My tickets are over $1450 (2 seats not including parking) because I like good seats and a good view. I don't like sitting with my head turned to the side and going home with a sore neck or not being able to clearly see the pitcher or the plate. Every year I end up going to additional games so I probably will end up going to somewhere between 26-30 games. Ticket prices went up again and that was wrong.

 

Watching young players is fun but I remember the years of hearing the echo of my own clapping and having a row to myself and it's not good. Later on, at games where there were large crowds a part of me resented all those bandwagon jumpers but it sure was nice to see and feel the support during games. Was it in '02 that they gave out the pitchers' bobbleheads? There were plenty of leftovers and I got a couple of Beckett and Burnett. Then suddenly after the WS you'd get to a game early and the giveaways were already gone. Still, I'd rather see a good crowd.

 

Seeing young players develop is awesome but not so much if you're thinking they'll be going somewhere else. My support of the team will remain but I dread that dark cloud that I remember so well and also realize most people are not as die-hard as myself. Sadly, I believe we were headed in the right direction.

i plan on going to some games and cheer for them hard this year like i do every year. nothings changing for me. ive been a fan since '93 so i see no reason to change. 2005 was kinda up and down for me because every game i was at was as an employee. there were many times id look around and be like "sh*t i want to sit my ass down and just watch this game." that first week was probably the worst one so im probably gonna enjoy 06 more.

Fact. It will probably be Hermida, but I expect good things out of one or more of our starting pitchers.

 

 

We should make a new thread about fact or fiction. :thumbup

Surprisingly, I think even the casual fans understand that this "firesale" is different than the one after the 97 season. I've talked to a bunch of people at work, and even within my family, and the common consensus seems to be that the local government screwed up. As loyal fans, we know what kind of players we're getting in return and are excited about that, but it's nice to see even casual fans backing the Marlins on this one...

 

On a personal note, I don't know how many games I can make it to.. It's gonna be tough to do anything with my son. He'll be 1 in August, so he's not at the age to really take him to games yet. I'll sure as hell make it to as many as I can though.

I'll probably take in 10-15 games as that is all I can afford probably a lot less if I take my girlfriend to the games. I refuse to sit in the Fish Tank as it's a mile away from the infield and nowhere near the power alleys, it sucks I have no idea why it garners so much affection on this board.

 

Hopefully, I can convince my parents of going to the games and grabbing the bill, but the last time my dad went he got lost trying to find the car (he is a freaking blockhead) and probably never wants to go to a game again, lol.

I ask this because last night at the Panthers game, and at the airport on Tuesday night, I saw more Marlins hats and t-shirts than I think I have ever seen outside of Pro Player. It seems that we were taking steps in the right direction as far as respectability goes...I'd like to know if many of you think that this will carry over.

 

Please, let's not turn this into a "where should we stick the stadium" debate or "why Palm Beach is better/worse than Miami" argument, tell me what you plan on doing this season, and what you think those around you will do.

 

:thumbup

 

 

If everyone really wants this team to stay in Miami, let's make it Prime Time...Make up big huge signs that say Save The Florida Marlins ...Take them to ANY game you go to: MIami DOlphins, Florida Panthers, Miami Heat, hell even if you are at someone else's home turf, bring the signs...Bring one to every Spring Training game next year and every Marlins game next year no matter if it is HOME or AWAY... The point being: Every single game someone is at with a sign has a good shot of showing up on an ESPN highlight clip... If enough people start seeing these signs everynight on Sports Center, maybe some key people will step up and help save the team...Our voices may not be "heard", but they will be seen

 

Also, anywhere you go, even if it at a sporting event or if you are shopping in downtown Miami, wear as much '97 or '03 post season apparel as you can...keep reminding people what this team did in such a short time...

Well, I was going to go to New York for the Yankee series before the firesale. That hasn't changed. And I'll always go to as many games as possible.

 

I think there's a few reasons this firesale is different. First off, we're all older and have been through it before. This one isn't as bad as 97's, it at least serves a purpose, and we're getting back names we're all familiar with (which I think also ties into us being collectively an older group, I think a huge chunk of the fanbase was in the 10-14 range during the first firesale and is now between junior in high school and just above college age). With the maturity gained with age we can, after our initial anger/frustration/contemplations of suicide realize that, well, as long as it keeps the team here it's good. And that's the most important thing. With Tuesday's announcement, the focus switches from the players being sold off to keeping the team in South Florida. Kind of like when you have a pain in your body and you hurt something else, the first pain goes away. Better a 54-108 team in South Florida than an 108-54 team in Las Vegas.

 

P.S. The Fish Tank is where it's at.

I don't think that this set us back too far, because frankly there's not much further we could be set back. We annually have one of the worst attendances in baseball. So, this won't set us back with our own fan base, becuase our fans can only barely pay any less attention than they already have been.

 

And as for the national response, I got bad news for you guys - from what I've witnessed, outside of South Florida, the Marlins are only marginally considered a real team. I've lived in New York City and Washington, DC (two cities with NL East teams), and everyone I ever met was utterly shocked to meet a Florida Marlins fan. They treat us as if we're still a first-year expansion team, even though we've been in the five years longer than the Diamondbacks. So I don't think this will rattle anyone's perceptions of the Marlins outside of Florida, because outside of Florida people barely respect the organization to begin with.

 

The only place this will set us back is with other players in MLB. It's gotta be clear to any player that if they sign with this team, they will not get a no-trade clause, and they will more than likely be dealt somewhere at some point. I can't believe any free agent will take us seriously for a long, long time after what we did to Delgado

I plan on going to more games in 06 than 05 but i think the attendance overall will dip slightly.

I'm still going to opening day.

Well, I was going to go to New York for the Yankee series before the firesale. That hasn't changed. And I'll always go to as many games as possible.

 

I think there's a few reasons this firesale is different. First off, we're all older and have been through it before. This one isn't as bad as 97's, it at least serves a purpose, and we're getting back names we're all familiar with (which I think also ties into us being collectively an older group, I think a huge chunk of the fanbase was in the 10-14 range during the first firesale and is now between junior in high school and just above college age). With the maturity gained with age we can, after our initial anger/frustration/contemplations of suicide realize that, well, as long as it keeps the team here it's good. And that's the most important thing. With Tuesday's announcement, the focus switches from the players being sold off to keeping the team in South Florida. Kind of like when you have a pain in your body and you hurt something else, the first pain goes away. Better a 54-108 team in South Florida than an 108-54 team in Las Vegas.

 

P.S. The Fish Tank is where it's at.

 

I don't know about that. There are a lot of older people who go to games. Even a lot of the younger people are accompanied by older people many of whom are the ones paying for the tickets so I'm not sure that the age thing is such a big factor. I do completely agree with you about the focus shifting!

I think this firesale is extremely different, but the attendance is going to drop. Sure there are people like us and will go the games. I'm still planning a trip to South Florida in the Summer and will probably go to a few Marlins-Nats games. But we are in the minority.

 

Casual fans follow this team if they win. And it really isn't looking like this will be the most competitive team. Although they could be decent 70-80 wins. People won't come to the games especially after having the (somewhat) successes of the last 3 years. It is going to be a lot of fun to watch the young guys develop, but fun does not equal wins and in the minds of many in South Florida that's all that matters. The low won't be as low as it was in '98 and the years following, but it will drop. It would be naive to think otherwise.

I think kids will enjoy this team a lot more, though. Once they get in to the park and watch them play, they'll be like hey this is a fun team. Last year's team, as talented as it was, was painful to watch. This will be the kind of team that parents say "look son, look at them giving their all on every play. That's the way you should play."

 

It'll be fun.